CSUMB vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Monterey Bay in Seaside, CA with University of California Merced in Merced, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Merced is larger than CSUMB based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 7,713 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Monterey Bay is located in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Monterey Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Monterey Bay 24:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

CSUMB vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSUMB or UC Merced? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of California Merced than CSUMB ($13,690 vs. $14,493).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Monterey Bay are 19.6% lower than at University of California Merced ($17,234 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 100.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $7,844 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 144.5% higher at UC Merced than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $29,444 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $20,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at California State University Monterey Bay (89% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 124% larger than aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students ($27,292 vs. $12,185).

CSUMB vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSUMB or UC Merced? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UC Merced and CSUMB.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Monterey Bay (1060) is 10 points higher than at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming UC Merced students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at CSUMB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Monterey Bay 17/23; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSUMB - Test-free; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSUMB Jan 15, 2027; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at CSUMB (3.45).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than UC Merced (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at CSUMB vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

CSUMB vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSUMB and UC Merced? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of California Merced's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than California State University Monterey Bay's (38%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $5,899 lower median loan debt than UC Merced graduates ($14,000 vs. $19,899).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Merced graduates ($144 vs. $205).
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Merced students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 64%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.